13. Karul

"Dearly beloved," booms the high priest"s voice, commanding the attention of all those present, "we gather today to unite these esteemed houses in prosperous matrimony."

The grand cathedral looms over me as I stand at the altar, surrounded by opulent decorations with my family sigil and crest finessed on every available surface. As my clan fills the pews, the glimmer of their finest silks and radiant jewels reflect the sunlight pouring in through the stained glass windows.

By my side stands my bride-to-be, Fara, her icy features carved like marble — a vision of perfection… her pale skin, her gleaming white dress, and aloof and tired and disinterested eyes… She's positively frightening, the beautiful, twisted, stone-cold Fara. I almost feel for her. She is not but a casualty in my father's war.

I reach for her hand, and she pulls it away before I can grab it.

Positively steller… the fun I would have breaking her in…

Perhaps in another life…

My heart races with excitement. My entire being is consumed by the anticipation of seeing my dear, sweet Jasmine outside with Aqura, ready to make her grand entrance at the pivotal moment. I carefully compose my expression, masking any hint of the overwhelming emotions coursing through me.

In the vast, vaulted hall, the ostentatious ceremony begins, and the haunting melody of the choir fills the air. It would be something if it weren't all a lie… praiseworthy, perhaps. As the charade plays out before me, I can feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders – the burden of shattering my house"s lofty dreams and exposing their true nature weighs heavily.

With tears of pride in his eyes, my completely unaware father stands before me, oblivious to the impending downfall that awaits him.

Destiny has a knack for finding those who deceive others.

I ignore the droning priest, imagining instead my radiant Jasmine"s face.

When she steps through those doors.

Revealing our secret. Chaos erupting.

I've been waiting for this moment for years and years. Dreaming for this moment. My vengeance, at last, has been realized.

I swallow an anticipatory smirk.

Just a little longer now...

"For generations, the noble lineages of Klutaro and Vassago have stood tall as pillars of our great elven society. Their bloodlines intertwined with history, each bearing a rich legacy of strength and grace." Every word i"s enunciated with a weighty importance, echoing through the grand hall and filling the hearts of the guests with reverence.

I tune out the grandiose words, vengeance the only thing on my mind.

"As they come together, their collective abilities will pave the way for a prosperous future, filled with wealth and abundance." The congregation murmurs in agreement, their eyes shining with admiration and hope.

"As this couple is bound before the gods, so shall their houses be bound in fortune and victory over darkness," declares the priest. Suppressing a scoff, I inwardly roll my eyes at his pompousness.

He may think himself an important piece in our father"s grand plan, but he is merely a pawn, unaware of the destruction that is about to be unleashed on this so-called "sacred" occasion.

My gaze shifts towards Fara, who stands before me in all her regal splendor. She's perfect and broken and exquisite, a rare ornate bird, raised pure-blooded perhaps for this very moment.

Her delicate features remain oh so impassive. Porcelain features remain stoic and uninterested, her dull eyes betraying her boredom with the entire affair. She makes not a single effort to muster even the appearance of happiness…

As the priest drones on, she turns her attention to her perfectly manicured nails, examining them with indifference. I catch her eye, and she gives the subtlest of eye rolls as if to say, "Let"s just get this over with." I think I may love her…

But I can"t help but wonder if there is someone else who holds her heart or if she simply resents being forced into this arranged marriage as much as I do.

Her gaze betrays nothing but apathy. Perhaps even a hint of disdain.

After all, this marriage is nothing but a business transaction.

A means to expand her family"s reach.

The priest"s words instruct us to seal our doomed union with a kiss. And just as I lean in, the doors violently burst open, shattering the peaceful atmosphere.

Right on time.

Jasmine strides in, her beauty radiating like a beacon, and Aqura stands by her side, a menacing glint in his eye. The congregation erupts into hushed whispers and murmurs, shocked by this unexpected interruption that threatens to tear everything apart.

Jasmine"s voice slices through the tense silence like a knife, her words ringing out with a clarity that commands attention. "Stop this at once!" she cries, her eyes blazing with determination. "This ceremony must not go on!" The priest stands frozen, his mouth agape in shock. My father rises from his seat, his face contorted in fury.

"What is the meaning of this? Guards? Seize that woman!"

But Jasmine does not back down, her chin raised defiantly as she proclaims, "Karul cannot marry this woman, for he is already my lawfully wedded husband!"

Shocked gasps and outraged whispers fill the room, adding to the chaotic energy pulsing through the air. My father"s already flushed face turns a deeper shade of red as he struggles to find words.

Meanwhile, I can"t help but smile adoringly at Jasmine, admiring her courage and strength in standing up for what is right. The tension in the room is palpable, like a tightly wound spring ready to release at any moment.

"This is an outrage!" roars my father. "Guards, remove this human at once!" My father"s face is a twisted mask of fury, his eyes blazing with unbridled rage as he stands at the center of the tumultuous scene.

The air hums with the sound of swords being drawn, a chorus of steel unsheathed in response to my disobedience. A sense of triumph builds within me as I calmly descend from the altar and take Jasmine"s hand in mine.

Our fingers intertwine, sparking electricity between us that crackles and sizzles in the charged atmosphere. We stand together, defiant against my enraged family and the disapproving gaze of society, ready to face any consequences for our forbidden love.

"It is true," I declare boldly, my voice ringing out clearly amidst the chaos. "Jasmine is not only my love but also my lawful wife." As gasps and murmurs spread throughout the crowd, I can"t help but relish in my father"s reaction, knowing that it is a small price to pay for freedom.

My lord Father marches toward me, eyes blazing. "What have you done, boy?"

I meet his gaze unflinchingly. "I am in love with another, and you will not dictate my love life." Turning, I press a kiss to Jasmine"s hand.

The priest gathers his wits. "Guards, seize them!" he commands. "This is a grave violation of our sacred laws!"

But Aqura steps forward with incriminating documents. "It is you who have violated divine law by forcing this sham union!"

The guards falter, looking between Aqura and the priest uncertainly. Chaos reigns. My father grabs my jacket furiously. "How dare you bring such shame upon our house!"

I smirk and glance back at Jasmine. "Come now, Father. Just look at her - is she not utterly perfect?"

With a roar, he draws back his fist to strike me. But before the blow can land, royal guards swarm into the cathedral. Father gapes while the guards apprehend him.

I slide from his grasp, straightening my rumpled jacket. "Lord Aqura has provided evidence you violated divine law. You shall face judgment for this sacrilege," I say as all the pieces fall into place.

The guards round up my Father and the complicit clan elders. They are frothing with rage, spewing denials.

"Lies! It"s all lies!" my Father bellows as they shackle his wrists. "My son orchestrated this treachery!"

The other elders join the chorus. "Do not be deceived! The boy conspired to shame us!" But their desperate cries fall on deaf ears. The guards pay their claims no heed as they march the disgraced nobles away.

My Father catches my eye one last time, face purple with impotent fury. "You have not seen the last of me, boy!" he snarls as he is dragged out.

I simply smile and give a small wave. At long last, after years of suffering, my vengeance is complete. I have won.

As the guards seize him, Elder Galan points a crooked finger at me. "The boy is a snake, a playboy prince!" The elder"s eyes burn with hatred. "Given power, he will turn our noble lineage into a den of vile pleasures and moral decay!"

I merely arch an eyebrow in response as he continues spewing vitriol.

"Mark my words. His lust for that human whore is but a preview of the debasement to come!" Galan rants. "He will lead our clan to ruin and depravity!"

The other elders nod and murmur in agreement as they are led away in shackles.

I keep my expression neutral, letting his accusations roll off me. The bitter old fool knows nothing. I sought vengeance, not power.

Let them believe what they will - their reign has ended. Nothing can dampen the triumph singing through my veins as I take Jasmine"s hand in mine. My once-bright future, so cruelly scarred, blazes anew.